NewsBeat
Ernie Anastos death: Tributes paid for iconic New York news anchor among ‘Mount Rushmore of newscasters’
Ernie Anastos, the legendary anchor who spent over four decades delivering the news of the day to New Yorkers, has died at 82.
Anastos’s wife, Kelly, confirmed to multiple outlets that he died of pneumonia.
News of Anastos’s death was delivered by some of his former stations live on air as a breaking news bulletin.
Anastos worked at multiple New York news stations, including WCBS, Fox 5 New York, and WABC, throughout his career.
CBS News New York reporter Tony Aiello said, “If there was a Mount Rushmore for news anchors in New York, Ernie would be one of the four faces. He worked at four stations. He paired well with every co-anchor they ever put him with because he was such a pro.”
Rosanna Scotto, who sat in the anchor chat at Fox 5 New York with Anastos, wrote in a touching Instagram tribute: “I enjoyed working with him, anchoring alongside of him on the 10 o’clock news. He was a good man and someone we really looked up to. We are all heartbroken.”
In a career that spanned over four decades, Anastos amassed 30 Emmy Awards — including the Emmy Lifetime Award — and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Anastos started at WABC in 1978, spending 11 years there before moving on to WCBS, and later Fox 5 New York and Channel 9. He most recently lent his voice to WABC 770 AM, where he hosted a show called Positively Ernie.
Bill Ritter, who co-anchored with Anastos at WABC in the 1970s and 1980s, said, “He was something unique and no matter your politics – Ernie was trusted. Reporting the news – reporting truth and facts – that’s what Ernie believed in.”
Ritter told WABC that Anastos had sent him a note just weeks ago, telling him to “stay happy and healthy.”
“He will be more than missed,” Ritter added.
Fans of Anastos who followed his career for decades also paid tribute after learning of his death.
“Oh my gosh, I can still hear his voice just by seeing his picture. Grew up hearing your broadcasts. RIP Mr Anastos,” one person wrote on X.
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“I loved watching Ernie growing up and more recently hearing his positively Ernie. So sad to hear of his passing,” another said.
“A gut punch,” someone else began. “When news was just the news and delivered by reputable faces that just reported the facts… Ernie is Mt. Rushmore in the tri-state, if not more, delivering every night. A career that has and will be forever remembered and missed.”